Filmed in England and Greece, this music-based portrait of John Tavener presents a window into the world of a truly great and original composer.John Tavener?s music achieved worldwide recognition when his Song for Athene w... more »as performed at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. This followed on from the success of his stunning cello concerto The Protecting Veil, for which he received the 1992 Gramophone Award.Melvyn Bragg interviews Tavener, asking him about his early influences, his life in 1960s ?swinging? London, his religious inspiration and his current idyllic lifestyle at home with his family in Greece. Disenchanted with western philosophy, Tavener moved from the Presbyterian church and the Church of England ultimately to Russian Orthodoxy in 1977, and now describes his composing as music which comes through him, not from him. For Tavener, music is a prayer.This DVD presentation is based on the acclaimed LWT South Bank Show, and has been augmented to include performances of the following works:Song for Athene?Spit in my Face?
from Three Holy Sonnets of John Donne
sung by Stephen VarcoeAnnunciationThe Protecting Veil (1st movement)
cello solo by Renato RipoAkathist of Thanksgiving?The Bless Duet? from Mary of Egypt
sung by Patricia Rozario and Stephen VarcoeAs One Who Has Slept
conducted by John TavenerAgraphon
sung by Patricia RozarioSubtitles: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish« less